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(No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. G. HOLCOMBE. ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM.

No. 420,384. Patent-ed Jan. 28, 1890.

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3 SheetsSheet 3.

(No Model.').

A, G. HOLOOMBE. ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM. No. 420,384.

Patented Jan. 28, 1890.

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WITNESSES: 3%dQQwM fiflyg 7a;- v1 Ziarltegax N. PETERS. PholwLiXhognphEn Washmghlm 04 c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED G. HOLCOMBE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRIC SIGNAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 420,384, dated January 28, 1890.

Application filed January 14, 1889. Serial No. 296,341. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- armature-lever di one end of which engages Be it known that I, ALFRED G. HOLCOMBE, a detent or escapement-wheel. Normally, the a citizen of the United States, residing in New circuit-connections are closed in the signal- York, county and State of New York, have ing mechanism D, and whenever the projec- 55 invented certain new and useful Improvetion or wedge on the pivoted lever 61 enters ments in Electrical Communicating Systems, a notch in the wheel d the circuit is broken of which the following is a specification. at d. V

This invention has reference to a system The signal is reproduced at the sub-station of signaling having a central station and by the extinguishment of the signal-lamps 60 1o sub-stations in which the central station may and the sound of the signal-bell a, the hamsignal any one of the sub-stations and 'all mer of which delivers its stroke as the armathe latter stations may signalto the central ture is drawn away from the bell-magnet by station, the system being specially designed its retractile spring. for police service. Tracing the circuit from the battery, it is as 6 5 The present invention relates to certain orfollows: by wire .9 to switch S, through the ganizations not claimed in my patent, No. signaling apparatus to wire S, and then by 397,364, granted February 5, 1889, and certain the contact of any one of the individual lines improvements on the system therein shown, whose switch is put over, as indicated by as appears from the following specification dotted lines at the switch of line B, and its 7o and claims. 3 'switch T over the individual line through the In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is call-box, bell, and incandescent electric lamp a diagram of the system; Fig. 2, a face view or lamps of that particular sub-station to the of the call-box with the front plate removed; collective line S the current then dividing Fig. 3, a central section through the same; among all-the remaining sub-stations and re- 2 5 Fig. 4, a section on the line a", wof Fig. 3; Fig. turning over their individual lines through 5, a part face View and part section of the the annunciator mechanisms to the line S annunciatorwith the face-plate removed; and and opposite pole of the battery. The cur- Fig. 6, a side elevation of the actuating mechrent in returning through the various subanism of the same, the frame being in section. stations is thereby divided, and no one stao ABOindicate three outlying stations, each tion takes sufficient current to operate its having a call-box a, a bell a, signaling-lights lamps or magnets. \Vhen, therefore, the a and branch circuit by the push-button N. switch T of any station is connected with the A B O are the individuallines, and A B line S and the switch S is moved to throw 0 are the annunciator apparatus of said stathe signaling mechanism into circuit, the v 3 5 tions at the central oflice. I circuit from the battery M B is normally M B indicate the main battery. One pole closed, and the lights f at the particular subof this battery is connected by a'wire s with station are normally lighted. As the wheel a switch S, by means of which the central-ofd revolves, the circuit is broken at each tooth ice-signaling(mechanism D may be thrown therein and the lights are momentarily ex- .0 into the circuit or the battery connected tinguished. This is a desirable method of around the signaling mechanism. The line operation, possessing many advantages over S from the signaling mechanism, or from the the operation shown in my prior patent above switch S, runs to one of the points of a switch mentioned. For instance, during the trans- T of each of the individual lines. mission of the signal the lamps being nor- 9 5 The signaling mechanism may be of any mally illuminated the attention of the patrolsuitable character, that shownbeingatoothed man is more readily attracted than in the wheel d, which may be adjusted to expose other system, because in the latter case unany desired number of notches, as is well un= less he were looking at the lamps at the very derstood. The wheel may be actuated, as is moment of flashing he might not perceive 50 common, by a weight or spring, and is re that they were being operated.

leased by an electro-magnet d, attracting an .I place a visual and audible indicator in the line 3 between the switch S and the battery M B. This indicator may consist of a polarized bar pivoted at the middle and enveloped by a coil forming part of the wire 5. One end of the bar carries a hammer operating against a gong U. A permanent magnet V is fixed in such relation to the pivoted indicator as to attract it when it comes within its field and cause the hammer to strike the gong.

This apparatus has two functions: First, it serves as a visual indicator, by means of which a patrolman at one of the outlying stations can send a return-signal to indicate that a call transmitted to his station or beat has been received. For this purpose it operates in the following manner: While the circuit is still closed and the signal being repeated to one of the sub-stations, the patrolman at that station by operating his call-box, as presently described, causes the lever 12 of the call-box a to break contact with its upper stop, thus opening the circuit. The magnetic bar of the indicator returns, therefore, to its normal position indicated in the drawings, and, coming within the field of the magnet V, is attracted and the hammer strikes the gong. Alike action does not, however, occur during the momentary interruptions of the circuit by the transmitting mechanism, as the magnetic bar does not fully respond to such brief interruptions.

The second function of this apparatus is that of an indicator for testing the line. For instance, on cutting out the transmitting apparatus by putting the switch S to the right, the switches T being in the position indicated in the drawings, the battery-circuit previously traced is open, and by closing and opening the switches T successively the individual circuits will be successively closed, and the current that will then flow, if the circuit be in proper order, deflects the magnetic bar and gives a visual indication of a condition of the circuit.

The call-boxes and annunciator apparatus shown are the same as those illustrated in my prior patent.

The call or signaling box shown in detail by Figs. 2, 3, and 4 is to have the signals marked or printed on its face 0 on radial lines, as usual, and as shown in my prior patent. On the central shaft 0, in front of the face 0, is secured the pointer o and thumbpiece, by which it can be rotated, and immediately behind the face is located the serrated disk 0 rigidly secured to the shaft 0' and provided with as many teeth as there are sig nals or wants. A roller on the lever 0 pivoted to the frame of theinstrument, is caused to bear against the edge of the disk 0 by means of the spring 0 and this lever, when the disk is rotated, is caused by the action of the teeth of the disk against the roller to make contact with the insulated stop 0". This stop 0 is joined to the line 8 At the back of the disk 0 and pivoted to it is the springacting hooked pawl 0 the projecting tail of which strikes the stud 0 when the pointer 0 is brought back to the zero position, and thus moves the hooked end of'the pawl clear of the notch in the flange c on the end of the sleeve 0', through which the shaft 0 passes, as shown in Fig.2. The movement of the pawl 0 when struck by the stop 0 is limited by a pin 0 on the disk and the rotation of the disk checked.

To a flanged drum on the sleeve 0 is attached the chain 0 which passes down through the lower side of the case and is provided with the knob or handle 0 A coilspring 0 is attached to the rear end of the sleeve 0 and to the frame, and to this sleeve, just in front of the spring 0 is secured the insulated lug 0 which acts as a stop for the spring and determines the normal position of the sleeve 0 and attached parts by resting against the end of the lever-switch p, to which the individual line A B G is connected. This lever 19 plays between the two insulated stops 1) and 17 but is held against the stop 19, to which the collective line S is connected through the lamp and call-bell by the lug c and is brought into contact with the other stop 19 by the spring 9 when the sleeve 0' is rotated. This stop 19 is electrically connected through the frame to the lever 0.

The speed-controllin g gear h h IL2 is of the ordinary construction.

In the indicating-annunciator three sections only are shown, and in Fig. 5 a different face view of the mechanism of each sec tion is given. The electro magnets of all sections in each vertical row of the annunciator are composed of a single bar of iron provided with pole-pieces 1?, between which the coils of insulated wire 1" are wound. In front of each of the coils, hinged to a polepiece, is an armature F, the free end of which faces the pole-piece next above the one to which it is hinged, thus forming a nearlyclosed magnetic circuit with the part of the bar constituting the core between said adjacent pole-pieces.

As the operative parts are alike in all sections of the annunciator and similarly lettered, the following description will apply to the mechanism of each section: The shaft j extends through the frame in front of the armature i and is provided with the ratchetwheel j, into which plays the hooked pawl t pivoted to the upper end of the armature i", said pawl being held in contact with the ratchet-wheel j by the spring i, which also draws the armature away from the pole-piece z'of the magnet. The extent of the movement of the armature is determined by the adjustable screw 7' fitted in the bell-crank lever 7' the other arm of which is provided with a pin arranged to come in contact with the teeth of the ratchet-wheely", and thus rectify the position of the wheel and lock it when the armature in its retrograde movement strikes the screwj thus preventing the ICC IIO

shaft j and attached parts from being moved farther than one tooth ofthe ratchet-wheel j for each movement of the armature toward the magnet. The light spring 7' holds the pin on the lever 9' always against the ratchetwheel, thus causing it to act as a back-stop therefor.

On the end of the shaft j is secured the disk is, having a series of numbers marked on its face corresponding to the signals marked on the call-boxes, and a blank space between the numbers which correspond to the number of teeth formed on the ratchet-wheelj The central part of this disk, with the exception of a circular spot, is made black.

The face 7;, of the annunciator has numbers markedthereon indicating the stations, and each section has two holes, one in front the blank space between the numbers 1 and -15 and the other in front of the circular White spot on the disk when the disk is in normal position; but when the disk is rotated by its electro-magnet, so as to expose a number in place of theblank space, then a black circle appears in the lower opening, which makes a distinctive mark on the face of the annunciator, by means of which the attendant readily observes the number ofthe stathe insulated springs 70 and in bear, the

flange having an insulated piece on which the.

. spring 76 normally rests. Each of the springs the .lower part of the switch WV, Fig. 1.

is connected to one of the individual lines A B 0 through the upper part of the switchlever WV and line w, Figs. 1 and 5, and each of said lines is also joinedto one end of its respective coil 7/, and the springs 70 are connected by the lines Z Z'"Z .respectively, to

The other ends of the coils t' are connected to one terminal of the battery M B by the line S When an officer at a substation signals, he simply turns the pointer o of his call-box until it lies over or points to the desired word or number. This in itself does not affect the circuits. It may here be mentioned that the pointer can be rotated forward and back to the starting-point indiscriminately without any injury to the apparatus. NVhen the pointer is thus set, the hooked pawl is carried around with the serrated disk 0 The officer now pulls down the knob 0 which winds up the spring o and allows the spring 19 to move the lever p against the stop 19 thus breaking the collective circuit 19 and connecting the individual lines A B O to the lever 0 which lever closes the main line at of each time a tooth of the disk 0 acts thereon, as the disk is caused to move back into normal position by the engagement of the not-chin the flange 0 with the hooked end. of the pawlo 1 The circuit is as follows: from one pole of the battery M B by the line S through the annunciator, through the upper bar of the switchlever W to the switch T, individual line and contact-lever p of the sub-station signalingboX, its contact 19 call-box frame, lever 0 contact 0 and line S common to all the substations and running to earth, and the circuit is completed through the earth to the earthterminal S at the central station, through the call-bell O B, and then by a portion of the line 8 to the opposite pole of the battery. This line Sf S &c.,' I term the all-around-battery connection since it connects this pole of the battery with all sub-stations. The impulses thus caused to flow through the annunciator energize its coil 2", and through the medium of the armature and pawl move the ratchet-wheel j forward, thus exposing the number in the opening of the face of the annunciator. These impulses in passing through the main line actuate the call-bell O B. The attendant at the central station, having noted the call, informs the officer thathis signal has been received by moving the switch T, thereby separating the individual line from the annunciator and connecting it through the signaling mechanism D, thereby lighting the lamp and ringing the bell at the sub-station. The attendant at the central office may now set the disk 70 back to the zero position by pressing on the switch-lever of the line and bringing its lower arm against the bottom contact which is in connection. with a conductor X.

A local'circuit, including the battery M B, is thus establishech'as follows: from one pole of the battery byline S to the'annunciator through the magnet z" and the springs k 70 and then by the lower bar of the switch-lever W to the wire X and to a vibrating armaturelever E. This lever is byits retractile spring drawn against its back contact 6. An adjustable contact screw f in the end of a vertical pivoted gravity-bar F normally bears against the lever E. Below its pivot the bar F carries an adjustable weight that tends to bring it into a vertical position and. against the lever E when the parts are in the normal position illustrated. From the vertical lever F the circuit is continued through the coils of a magnet G, of which the lever Eis the armature, thence to the Wire sand opposite pole of the battery. 'The switch-lever WV having been depressed, the circuit is closed, and magnet G,being energized, attracts its armature. In its forward movement the armature-lever carries the gravity-lever with it until the armature-lever is arrested. The gravity-lever, however, by reason of its momentum, continues its movement, thus opening a circuit at e f, and the parts all return to their normal position shown, the action being repeated until the annunciator-disk has reached zero, when the circuit is opened by the spring k comingupon the insulation in the collar k No claim is made herein to the fiash-light method of signaling, as it is claimed in another applicatioinadivision of this case, filed May 8, 1889, and numbered 310,057.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a source of electric energy, individual lines leading from the central to the substations, signaling devices interposed between the individual lines and one pole of the source of energy, a collective line to which all the individual lines run, flash-lights placed between the collective line andthe sub-station apparatus, and circuit-connections which connect the opposite pole of the source of energy with the individual lines, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a source of electric energy, individual lines, an annunciator for each. line through which the line is connected with one pole of the source of energy, signaling apparatus interposed between the opposite pole of the source of energy and the individual lines, circuit-connections and switches by which any individual line may be disconnected from its annunciator and connected with said signaling apparatus, signaling electric flashlights in each individual line, and a collective line with which all the individual lines connect.

3. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a source of electric energy, individual lines, an annunciator for each line, through which the line is connected with one pole of the source of energy, signaling apparatus interposed between the opposite pole of the source of energy and the individual lines, circuit-connections and switches by which any individual line maybe disconnected from its annunciator and connected with said signaling apparatus, call-boxes, and signaling electric flash-lights in each individual line at each sub-station, and a collective line with which all the individual lines connect.

4. The combination, substantially as set forth, of individual lines connecting a central and sub stations, signaling apparatus at the sub-stations, a return-conductor from the substations to the central station, a source of electric energy, annunciators, one for each individual line, through which the individual lines are connected with one pole of the source of energy, circuit-connections and switches s, S, S, and T, by which the individual lines may each be disconnected from the annunciator and connected to the 0pposite pole of the source of energy, and an indicator in the line 3.

5. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the individual lines connecting a central station and sub-stations, a source of electrical energy at the central station, annuneiator devices through which the individual lines are connected with one pole of said source, the transmitting apparatus between the other pole of the generator and the individual lines, circuit connections and switches, the indicator U V in the line, and signaling devices at the sub-stations.

(i. The combination, with a step-by-step annunciator and source of energy, of the individual line, including the annunciator-magnet, the sh nut-circuit X S, including the annunciator-maguet, a magnet G, the armature E of the magnet G, and the pivoted gravitylever F, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, substantially as set forth,with the battery and step-by-step annunciator, of the individual lines, including the aununciator-inagnets, the shunt-circuit X S, including the annunciator-magnets, the magnet G, also in said shunt-armature E, gravitylever F, and a switch W for each annunciator.

8. The combination of individual lines connecting the central and sub stations, the annunciator of each line, circuit-connections and switches 'l \V, by which each line is connected through its annunciator with one pole of a battery, the conductor 8, including an indicator U V, a switch S, line S, and the sig naling apparatus included in a branch of the line S, running to a point of the switch S, substantiallly as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ALFRED G. IIOLOOMBE.

Witnesses:

EDWARD C. DAVIDSON, LLOYP B. WIGHT. 

